# NTSB GAA19CA191: Piper PA32, N75242, Swainsboro, GA, March 31, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 31, 2019, 11:25 local (15:25 UTC) - Place: Swainsboro, GA - Coordinates: 32.609165, -82.370002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6092&lon=-82.3700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 20, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99209 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA191 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99209/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99209 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA191 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and the landing gear collapsing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during cruise flight, the onboard weather radar showed unfavorable weather ahead, and he diverted to a nearby airport for a precautionary landing. Upon touchdown, the airplane veered left and slid off the runway onto an adjacent field, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the upper engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 230° at 9 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 32. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during cruise flight, his onboard weather radar showed unfavorable weather ahead, and he diverted to a nearby airport for a precautionary landing. Upon touchdown, the airplane veered left, slid off the runway onto the adjacent field, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the upper engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 230° at 9 knots, gusting 18 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 32. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N75242](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N75242), registered now, S/N 32-7600016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA32 (260) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7600016 - Year built: 1976 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: M&M Air Llc - Registered owner: M&M Air Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 22, 2018 - Departed: 1GA0, Shellman Bluff, GA - Destination: WDR, Winder, GA - Airport: SBO, East Georgia Regional, runway 32, 6,021 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 26, 2018; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 248 total, 166 in this make and model, 202 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KSBO ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20190331002259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190331002259A), Mar 31, 2019: Piper PA-32-260, Swainsboro, GA, Substantial damage. On March 31, 2019, at approximately 1130 a.m. eastern daylight time, a Piper pa 32-260, N75242, was substantially damaged after it impacted terrain while… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 22, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99209. 871 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 694 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476982&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 177 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476983&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.